Over a decade ago, when I—Kotaro—was in 4th grade through the first year of middle school, I couldn’t bring myself to go to school. My mom quit her job to support me, but she was blamed—yelled at, even beaten and kicked—by my dad and grandparents.
Later, when I became a high school student, I started lashing out at her too, just like they did. Eventually, my mom couldn’t take it anymore and left the house.
When I was in elementary school, I felt like everyone around me was an enemy. Even at home, I was often blamed by my dad and grandparents.
But no matter what, my mom was always on my side. It was her kindness that gave me the strength to face the outside world again.
After she left, I finally realized how wrong and suffocating this house felt. That’s when I started wishing I could see her again.